UFC Freedom 250 is slated to go down next month, and with it, some of the most exciting and much-anticipated matchups fans have been clamoring for. Headlining this historic event, which is set to take place on the South Lawn of the White House, lightweight champion Ilia Topuria tries to defend his strap for the first time when he meets interim kingpin Justin Gaethje. Considered by some to be the best fighter in the world, Topuria returns after nearly a year off to showcase his abilities in his first bout of 2026. On the other end of the contest, Gaethje is endeavoring to have undisputed gold wrapped around his waist for the first time after almost ten years in the promotion.
In the co-main event, previous middle and light heavyweight apex Alex Pereira seeks to thrust himself into further combat sports history by winning an unheard of third UFC championship when he vies for the interim heavyweight belt against French phenom Ciryl Gane. Earning much attention over the past few weeks for his new 265-lb build, Pereira looks to be even more physically imposing than ever before. For Gane, his match with the Brazilian marks his second shot at the interim after hoisting it over his shoulder back at UFC 265.
While these two fights are easily the main selling points of UFC Freedom 250, the rest of the card is notably stacked with some of the greatest mixed martial arts talent on the planet. Featuring a wide array of contenders from across multiple weight classes, there are fighters who are competing for more than just another victory; they are chasing a specific goal. Whether it is the hope of securing a title shot for themselves, ending an extensive losing streak, or just putting on a fan-pleasing performance, the athletes at UFC Freedom 250 bring to the table their own unique journeys that will have all eyes at the White House firmly fixed upon them.
The revenue from online sportsbooks is already staggering. From those looking to bet directly on the fights or even others looking to learn how to play bingo online, the spectacle of the event will be long remembered.
The Biggest Storylines Centered Around UFC Freedom 250
Hokit can nab top-contender status with victory over Lewis
In a division dominated by stellar older competitors, Josh Hokit has emerged as one of the premier heavyweight contenders the UFC has witnessed in quite some time. Logging just three bouts in the Octagon in the span of five months, the Californian has accrued not just three wins, but also a spot in the 265-lb top 10, residing at the number five spot at the time of this writing. Coming off of a monumental triumph over perennial name Curtis Blaydes last month at UFC 327, “The Incredible Hok” immediately scored a placement at UFC Freedom 250 at the personal request of current United States President Donald Trump. This request has now set Hokit on a collision course with heavyweight knockout king Derrick Lewis.
First appearing in the organization back in 2014, Lewis has gone on to become arguably the hardest-hitting athlete in the UFC’s 265-lb class ever. With his tremendously heavy hands that once brought him to the cusp of a world championship, “The Black Beast” has earned more than a few accolades over the years. Such feats include the most knockouts in UFC and UFC heavyweight history at 16. While he has never won the championship belt, Lewis has proven to be a nightmare opponent for most fighters in his weight class, as he has garnered impressive victories over Blaydes, Alexander Volkov, and Francis Ngannou.
With his gutsy fighting style and brilliant ability to rile up the crowd on the microphone, Hokit has risen to stardom at breakneck speed. While Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane will throw down for the interim strap in the co-main event of the night, the Jackson Wink MMA Academy product can potentially snag either his own chance to fight for the undisputed championship or a number one contender tilt depending on his performance against Lewis. Given the company’s more recently shifted goal of putting on more electrifying fights, as well as him boasting a nearly 100% stoppage rate, Hokit can quite easily leap frog the rest of the division to compete with current heavyweight king Tom Aspinall should the roar of the audience be loud enough following his triumph.
Pereira can make history at White House
After an incredible stint in the realm of professional kickboxing, where he became a two-division champion in Glory, Alex Pereira began his journey into the UFC back in 2021, knocking out Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268. From here, the Brazilian would surge to become a pound-for-pound great in mixed martial arts by claiming both the middleweight title by finishing his nemesis Israel Adesanya and the light heavyweight belt with a thunderous stoppage of Jiří Procházka. It was at 205-lb that “Poatan” firmly cemented his legacy in the sport with three consecutive title defenses, collecting stoppages over other elite strikers such as Procházka in a rematch, Jamahal Hill, and Khalil Rountree Jr.
Although he did wind up dropping his throne to Magomed Ankalaev, Pereira swiftly reclaimed his title by brutally starching the Russian in a subsequent runback at UFC 320. Not content with chasing further greatness at light heavyweight, the Glover Teixeira pupil began to notably pack on more muscle in the months after his victory over Ankalaev, leading many to speculate a move up in weight. Those speculations would be proven correct when it was announced that Pereira was going to be heading to heavyweight to attempt to capture an unprecedented third UFC championship at UFC Freedom 250.
For his opposition at the event, Ciryl Gane, the card represents a vital moment in his career. Last October at UFC 321, the Frenchman contended for the undisputed 265-lb crown against Tom Aspinall in the main event. Looking magnificent early on, “Bon Gamin” lit up the incumbent with stiff punches that bloodied him, only for an inadvertent eye poke to abruptly end the match by no contest. Previously, Gane had vied for the non-interim belt on two occasions, losing both times to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. Given his age of 36-years old, and his abysmal UFC championship record of 1-2-1NC, UFC Freedom 250 could very well spell the MMA Factory representative’s final opportunity at promotional gold.
In the case of Pereira, should he manage to nab the 265-lb interim title, then the victory would elevate him to extraordinary heights in combat sports history, becoming the only fighter to score belts in three different weight classes in the UFC. Although he wouldn’t be alone in this achievement, as ONE Championship’s Anatoly Malykhin had accomplished this as well by winning that organization’s middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight championships, Pereira would be the only two-division kickboxing champion to do so in a major promotion.
Gaethje endeavors to finally nail undisputed gold
A staple of the lightweight upper echelon since making his debut back in 2017, Justin Gaethje has captivated fans with his signature kickboxing style. This style has delivered a host of dazzling triumphs against the best the weight category has to offer like Tony Ferguson, Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Paddy Pimblett. Acquiring the interim 155-lb championship earlier this year at UFC 324 after engaging in a five-round war with Pimblett, “The Highlight” is gearing up for what may be his last hurrah when he crosses paths with Ilia Topuria this June.
From the start of his UFC tenure in 2020, Topuria appeared to have all the makings of a bonafide prospect. Steadily climbing the ranks at featherweight, the Spaniard quickly became a fierce threat to even the most capable of contenders, eventually earning himself a bout against then champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. Though the careful striking of “The Great” did pose some issues early on, “El Matador” stunned the world by knocking out the Aussie in the second round to raise UFC gold above his head for the first time.
Making one defense of his strap against Max Holloway, handing “Blessed” his first ever defeat by strikes, Topuria then would vacate his throne in a much-anticipated jump to lightweight, netting a main event showcase at UFC 317 in a fan-favorite matchup with Charles Oliveira. In what became his most dominant showing so far, the undefeated phenom starched the Brazilian in just two minutes, becoming the tenth two-division fighter in UFC history. Seeking to add another popular name to his laundry list of accomplishments, Topuria is more determined than ever to prove he is one of the greatest of all time.
For the aging Gaethje, a protracted battle with the much younger Topuria could end up making his night in the Octagon a short one. However, for the Arizona native, he cannot afford to hold anything back as he looks to take hold of the one thing that has eluded him throughout his journey as a fighter: an undisputed UFC title. Standing as the only man to hold interim lightweight gold twice, the Trevor Wittman prodigy has but one final box to check in order to call his career in the UFC as complete. And on the South Lawn of the White House, Gaethje can etch one of the largest upsets in the company’s history if he is able to bring down the seemingly-invincible Topuria.
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